As the ICT staff prepares for the holidays - from Washington, D.C. to Kathmandu

Dear Söpa,
As the ICT staff prepares for the holidays - from Washington, D.C. to Kathmandu - we are, as ever, mindful of our Tibetan brothers and sisters and the risks they take every day in the struggle for greater freedoms in Tibet.  We wish to thank you for working with us so that their efforts are known and meaningfully supported by the international community.

Looking back at 2010, I would like to especially thank you for your tremendous response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the April earthquake in Kyegundo.  Your generosity made it possible for ICT to get the urgent needs of survivors met and to help rebuild lives and institutions in this historically important Tibetan area. 

Thank you too for the great outpouring of enthusiasm when we celebrated His Holiness the Dalai Lama's 75th birthday with pledges of renewed dedication to the pursuit of human rights and democratic freedoms for Tibetans. ICT received and delivered nearly 10,000 birthday messages!

We know the Tibetan cause is important to you because you have remained committed to its success even during the most difficult times.  We expect that 2011 will be another challenging year.  Yet, with your support, standing with us, ICT will be prepared to meet both challenges and opportunities with skill, energy and enthusiasm -- and the resources necessary to keep Tibetans empowered and get the job done!

However you choose to celebrate this time of year, we know you will keep love in your heart and kindness in your mind.

On behalf of all my colleagues at ICT, I wish you the happiest of holidays and a new year that sees real progress for peace and justice for all.

Best wishes,

Mary Beth Markey
President